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Published: Jan 12th, 2006

Corrupt lobbyists are the exceptions


By: Raynard Jackson, Guest Columnist
Issue date: 1/12/06 Section: POLITICS

Jack Abramoff, the former lobbyist turned felon, may do something that Democrats could never do-cause the Republicans to lose their majorities in Congress. Before his guilty plea this week in federal court, most political observers gave Democrats little chance of regaining their majority. But, after this week's events, there is nervous tension throughout all of "official Washington." Why? Nobody knows where this Abramoff trail will lead.

About every 10 years or so, there is a major event that happens that causes a major shift in the political landscape across America. Ten years ago this month, Republicans took control of the House of Representatives for the first time in more than a generation. This was on the heels of the infamous House Post Office scandal (where members from both parties bounced checks and never repaid the House credit union). This ultimately led to the ouster of the then chairman of the powerful Ways and Means committee of the house, Dan Rostenkowski (He later pleaded guilty of a felony and served time in jail).

The Abramoff affair is eerily reminiscent of the post office scandal in the House 10 years ago. Before his felony plea, Democrats were surrounding the wagons around Bush and the National Security Agency spy issue. This is strictly an "inside the beltway" issue. There wasn't much political traction with this issue. However, the Abramoff issue is quite different.

The American people "get" this issue. The issue needs no explaining, unlike the NSA story (the rule of thumb is: if you can't explain it in a 30-second sound bite, then the American people don't care). The Democrats need a sea change of the political landscape to regain the House or Senate. This is an issue that can possibly provide that.

With the Republicans being in the majority, they are more vulnerable than the Democrats.
The Abramoff issue might very well derail Lt. Gov. Michael Steele's uphill race to become Maryland's newest U.S. senator. By him running as a Republican, he may be swept up in an anti-Republican tide. This issue could cost him as much as two to three points in his race. He can ill afford to lose any support in this race.

There will be a frenzy of demands for more lobbying reform legislation (Sen. McCain & Feigngold already have a bill working through the Senate). You should never legislate during a climate of high emotion.

Every time Congress does this, the legislation has led to bizarre consequences. For example, the campaign reform act let to the creation of the now infamous 527s that funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into the last election cycle.

There will never be a way to remove the influence that money has on our electoral system. Not as long as we are a democracy. For every law that is passed, there will be some smart attorney or political operative who will find a "legal" way to get around the law. So, it's the old game of cat and mouse.

The system is not broken! How do you legislate with whom a person has dinner? If you don't like who your senator or Congressman dines with, then you always have the option of voting him/her out of office.

What a novel thought; actually exercising your right to vote. That is the ultimate lobbying reform. Congress needs to do nothing. In a democracy, if people don't vote, then they get what they deserve.

Americans need to stop constantly looking to the government or others to solve all their problems. We all have a voice in who represent us and at various times we have an opportunity to voice our opinions of them. It's called voting.

Lobbyists (and I am one) should not allow the Abramoff affair to taint a reputable profession. Most lobbyists follow the law. Abramoff decided to violate not just lobbying laws, but even the laws of pure decency and good business. Americans, stop complaining, stop looking for Congress to do something, and let your voice be heard through the power of your vote.



About the Author

Raynard Jackson is president and CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, Inc., a political consulting/government affairs firm in Washington, D.C. RJA provides strategic advice and counsel to elected officials (White House, Congress), corporations and entrepreneurs.